William Henry Ballard, Sr of Lexington, Kentucky (1862-1954).

William Henry Ballard, son of Dowan Ballard, was born 31 October 1862 in Franklin county, Kentucky, removed with his parents to Louisville, Kentucky in 1870, where he attended Louisville High School.1 After graduating high school, he attended Roger Williams University in Nashville, Tennessee, from which he graduated in 1884. He taught school in Tennessee and Kentucky, and was elected principal of schools of Mayfield, Graves county, Kentucky.

In 1890 he entered Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and graduated with a medical degree in Pharmacy in 1892. Following graduation, he removed to Lexington, Kentucky and opened his own pharmacy in 1893.

On 28 December 1892 he married Elizabeth (Bessie) Hudson Brady, who was born 25 June 1870 and died 19 September 1946, the daughter of Montravell Brady and Malinda (Cheatham) Brady of Nashville, Tennessee.2 An obituary published in the Lexington Herald Ledger reported that she was a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated from Walden University,3 majoring in instrumental and vocal music. She served as musical director at St. Paul A.M.E. Church for a number of years, and was past mistress of the Eastern Star lodge, local and state; president and organizer of the Women’s Improvement Club, Inc., and director of the Lexington Day Nursery; she was a member of the local federation of women’s clubs, and served in leading positions as state and national officer.4

William Henry Ballard died on 28 May 1954, and is interred with Elizabeth (Bessie) Hudson Brady at Cove Haven Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.5

This biographical sketch appears in The National Cyclopedia of The Colored Race (1919):6

Reared in Kentucky where he seems to have found the Elixir of youth as well as business success, Dr William H. Ballard, though approaching close upon three score years, carries upon him no mark of age, either in his actions or in his mind. To be sure, his profession may be responsible for this as he is a pharmacist. Or it may be the full life of achievement for himself and of helpfulness to others which he has led.

Among the picturesque scenes of Franklin county, Kentucky, with its rugged cliffs overhanging the placid waters of the Kentucky river, was born to Dowan and Matilda Ballard, October 31, 1862, a son whom they named William Henry. His parents being industrious and energetic people, and seeing that a liberal education was essential to success in life, moved to Louisville in 1870. Here their son was placed under a private tutor and remained under his instruction until the opening of the public schools in 1873, when he entered the public schools and continued his course of studies in them. His progress was rapid; he took advantage of every opportunity to improve himself. After seven years of faithful application to his studies he was graduated from Louisville High School. His thirst for knowledge was far from being quenched when he completed his course in the high school. What he had attained only whetted his appetite for greater knowledge, and made him dissatisfied with the preparation he had received, which was far above that of many youths. Dr Ballard entered Roger Williams University,7 where he pursued a special course in science and languages, completing it in 1884. While at Roger Williams University Mr. Ballard began the work of teaching. He, like many others who were striving to be a credit to their race and ancestry, taught in the common school districts of Tennessee and Kentucky during the summer, and pursued his studies at the University during the winter.

The next step in the upward progress of Mr. Ballard was his election of the principalship of the schools of Mayfield, Graves County, Kentucky, where he served with satisfaction for some time. His success as a teacher is shown by the great number of ambitious young men and women now employed in the schools of southwestern Kentucky, many of whom were under his immediate charge. This also shows that the fourteen years spent in the school room were characterized by conscientious and painstaking study.

In 1890 he entered Northwestern University at Chicago, Ill., for the purpose of studying Pharmacy. He was from this course in 1892 receiving honorable mention. Shortly after graduating from Northwestern University Dr Ballard was married to Miss Bessie H. Brady, one of the most estimable young women of Nashville, Tennessee, a teacher in Meigs’ High School, a woman beloved and respected by all who knew her.

He has an interesting family, consisting of a wife and four children – three sons and a daughter. Upon these he bestows his most devoted care and affection and seeks their highest good. The children have listened to the counsel of their father and like him are making something of their lives. William Henry Ballard, Jr., is studying Pharmacy at Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Orville L. Ballard is studying medicine at the same Institution; Edward H. Ballard is a student in the Lexington High School, and Miss Vivian Elizabeth Ballard is studying in the Chandler Normal School.

Dr Ballard began business in Lexington, February, 1893, opening the first Pharmacy owned and controlled by Negroes in the history of the State.8 He has the confidence of all his acquaintances and has been highly honored by many fraternal orders to which he belongs. He is past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias; ex-State Grand Master of the United Brothers of Friendship; Commander in Chief of Blue Consistory Scottish Rite Masons; and has the distinction of being a polished, capable and conservative business man.

Dr Ballard is a Methodist in church affiliation, and is a member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a Trustee of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church. His interest in the welfare of the colored race enlists him in all enterprises looking to their development. The Colored Agricultural and Mechanical Fair Association was organized to encourage the colored citizen to take more active interest in agriculture and mechanical pursuits. Dr Ballard not only connected himself with this enterprise but served as Assistant Secretary, thus giving it the benefit of his organizing ability.

While he has not visited foreign countries, Dr Ballard has seen much of the US.

Dr Ballard exemplifies what a man of strong character and indomitable courage may do. He is worthy of emulation, not only for what he has achieved for himself, but for the service he has rendered in putting others on their feet. The clerks who worked in his store have been inspired to launch out for themselves. Four of the drug stores of the state are run by men who were one time clerks in the Ballard Pharmacy. One doctor, Doctor White of Owensboro, also served time as clerk in this same store. Indeed so high is the business in the esteem of both races that Dr Ballard has been for years a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association. Thus Dr Ballard has lived a long life of usefulness, helping to better all whom he touched.

The man who makes the most of his opportunities both for fitting himself for a useful life and in serving others gets the most out of life, and learns from experience that a life of service is a life of joy.

“What we are is God’s gift to us,

What we make ourselves is our gift to God.”

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On 9 October 1895 he purchased the house at 551 Maryland Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky, by Deed dated 9 October 1895 from George W. Rankine and Bettie Rankine, his wife to W. H. Ballard.

This indenture made and entered into this 9th day of October 1895 by and between George W. Rankine and Bettie Rankine, his wife of the town of Salvisa, county of Mercer and state of Kentucky, parties of the first part, and W. H. Ballard of the city of Lexington, county of Fayette and state of Kentucky, party of the second part.

Witnesseth that the parties of the first part for and in consideration of four hundred and twenty five ($425.00) Dollars and other good and valuable considerations, Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars of the said $425.00 cash in hand paid and receipt is herein and hereby acknowledged for the same by the said George W. Rankine and in further consideration that the said second party having executed and delivered his promissory note for one hundred and seventy five dollars, and due and payable to said George W. Rankine on order twelve months after date hereof with interest at the rate of six percent per annum until paid and a lien si herein retained on the said property hereinafter conveyed to secure the payment of the same but said lien herein retained shall be second and subordinate to the debt and lien said second forty may put on this property by mortgage to the Union Building and Loan Association of Lexington, Kentucky said debt not to exceed three hundred dollars of principal unless by consent in writing by first parties. Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises they have bargained, sold and conveyed the said second party and to this heirs and assigns forever. All that tract or parcel of land in the City of Lexington, county of Fayette and state of Kentucky, described as follows, to wit: All that lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Lexington, county of Fayette and state of Kentucky, being Lot No. 51 in the Preston subdivision of the City of Lexington, Kentucky. Said lot fronts fifty (50) feet on Maryland Avenue and runs back of equal width one hundred and forty (140) feet in a northwesterly direction and being the same property conveyed to said George W. Rankine first party herein from A. W. Blackburn by deed of date January 16th 1894 of record in Deed Book 102 page 25 in Fayette County Clerk’s Office, Lexington, Kentucky to which deed reference is herein made for more particular reference.

To have and to hold the same unto said party of the second part and his heirs and assigns forever. But a lien is herein retained on this said property for the balance purchase money as herein stated and this said lien is secured and subordinate to the lien said second party may put on this property a mortgage not to exceeding three hundred dollars of principal to the Union Building and Loan Association, Lex. Ky. And said parties of this first part do hereby release unto said party of the second part to his heirs and assigns all the right, title and interest of them and each of them in said property, including their homestead exemption allowed by law and hereby covenant to and with said party of the second part and his heirs and assigns that they are lawfully seized in fee simple of said property, and have good right to sell and convey the same as herein done and that the title of said property is clear perfect and unencumbered, and that they will warrant generally the said title.

In witness of all whereof said parties of the first part, hereunto set their hand the day and year first above written. Signed: George W. Rankine, Bettie Rankine.9

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The 1900 and 1910 Federal Census places the family at 551 Maryland Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky.10

Another biographical dictionary published in 1915 notes that he was secretary and treasurer of the Greenwood Cemetery Company; assistant secretary of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association; director of the Lexington News Company and the Greenwood Realty Company. Also that he was an African Methodist, Member of the National Medical Association, the National Negro Business League, a 32nd degree Mason,11 grandmaster of the United Brothers of Friendship in Kentucky; past deputy state grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. At that time his home was at 551 Maryland Avenue, and his office at 148 N. Limestone Street in Lexington, Kentucky.12

On 18 June 1920 William Henry Ballard purchased property from John Gund and Karoline E. Gund, his wife:

This Indenture, made and entered into this 18th day of June, 1920, between John Gund and Karoline E. Gund, his wife, of Lexington, Kentucky, parties of the first part, and W. H. Ballard of the same city and State, party of the second part.

WITNESSETH; That in consideration of One dollar and other considerations cash in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and of the further consideration of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) to be paid in Five equal installments of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) each, for which the said second party has executed and delivered to said John Gund his five (5) promissory notes for Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) each, payable in nine (9), eighteen (18), twenty-seven (27) thirty-six (36), and forty-five (45) months after date, bearing interest at the rate of six percent, payable semi-annually, a lien being retained on the property herein conveyed to secure the payment of said notes and interest of the said John Gund and Karoline E. Gund of the first party, hereby bargain, sell and covey unto the said W. H. Ballard of the second part the following described land, to wit:

A lot of ground with improvement thereon, situated on the northeast corner of Deweese and Corrall Street, in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, fronting on Deweese Street fifty (50) feet, and extending back along Corrall Street one hundred (100) feet; being the same property conveyed to said Gund by John McCrystal and wife, by deed dated July 1, 1905, and of record in deed book 139, page 582 in the Fayette County Clerk’s office.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD said property unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever.

And the parties of the first part releasing all their right, title, and interest in said property, including homestead exemption and dower, covenant that they seized in fee simple of said property, their good right to convey it; and that it is free from all liens and encumbrances, except the taxes owed on said property, the payment of which are assumed by the said Ballard, and covenant to Warrant Generally the said property unto the said party of the second part.

It is agreed by the party of the second part that in the event he fails to pay any of the said notes, or any installment or interest thereto, then the same becomes due and payable, that in such event the holder of said notes shall have the right to declare the remaining unpaid notes and purchase price due and payable, and at once proceed to collect the same for the lien for that purpose.

It is also agreed by the second party that he will keep the improvements on said property insured in a good insurance company for at least the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, with loss, if any, payable to the holder of said notes, as his interest may appear.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the parties of the first part have hereto set their hands the day and year above mentioned. Signed: John Gund, Kartoline E. Gund.13

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In 1920 he and his family resided at 178 Deweese Street, Lexington, Kentucky, and by 1930 the children had moved out and started families of their own, for William and Elizabeth were still in the house,14 and they resided there until their deaths.15

Bessie Hudson Brady left a nuncative will dated 8 August 1914.

I, Bessie H. Ballard, being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make my last will and testament.

To my dear husband William H. Ballard, Sr. I bequeath all my real and personal property which I possess at the time of my death, with the exception of my piano, which I will to my dear little daughter Vivian, and I hereby appoint my husband William H. Ballard executor without bond. In case my said husband, William H. Ballard dies before I do, I want our property at 551 Maryland Ave released of all mortgage indebtedness and said property and household contents to be given to my daughter Vivian E. Ballard together with $2,000.00 in cash, the same to be put out in interest, said interest being used for her education and maintenance until her majority, when the same shall be turned over to her in full.

The rest of cash shall be divided equally among my three sons, William H. Jr, Orville Lee and Edward Hunter Ballard respectively. I further stipulate that William Jr. shall have his father’s watch, Orville Lee, the horse and Edward H. the income accruing from the sale of our two rigs belonging to us. In such case, my husband William H. Ballard being deceased, I appoint Dr P. D. Robinson executor of my estate.

Done under my hand and seal this 8th day of August 1914.

Bessie H. Ballard
Witnesses: J. Alex. Chiles, Eugene Taylor

State of Kentucky
Fayette County Court
December Term, 1946
December 11th, 1946.

I, J. Porter Land, Clerk of the County Court of Fayette County in Kentucky, do hereby certify that on this day the foregoing instrument of writing purported to be the last will and testament of Bessie H. Ballard, deceased, of Fayette County, Kentucky, was produced in open Court for probate and filed. Said writing as fully proved on the oaths of Al Stilz and Lucien Johnson to be wholly in the proper handwriting of the testatrix: the signature of J. Alex Chiles and Eugene Taylor, the two subscribing witnesses, now deceased, proven on the oath of Lucien Johnson and William H. Ballard, Sr: whereupon, it is ordered by the Court that said writing be and the same is hereby admitted to probate and ordered recorded as the true last will and testament of Bessie H. Ballard, deceased, which has been done.

Witness my hand this 11th day of December 1946.

J. Porter Land, Clerk

By Frances Rothman, D.C.

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The will was written on the letterhead of Ballard’s Pharmacy, U.S.F. Building, 148 N. Limestone, Lexington, Ky.16

William Henry Ballard left a will dated 22 August 1950.

I, William H. Ballard, Sr., a resident of 176-178 Deweese Street, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, being of full age, and of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made, and all codicils thereto.

#1. I direct that my Executors hereinafter named to pay my funeral expenses and all other indebtedness which I may owe, if and when such creditors present such claims properly and legally, drawn against my estate and there are no evidence that such claims are unjust and have not been settled by me.

#2. In connection with my property located at 176-178 Deweese Street, Lexington, Kentucky, and whereon my son Edward H. Ballard has agreed to be paid certain sums of money on the said property, which said property is at present entailed by a mortgage held by the Portland Federal Savings and Loan Association, 56th and Main Streets, Louisville, Kentucky, which mortgage loan is to be paid within 9 years from the 22nd day of June 1950, and which period expires on the 22nd day of November 1959, and in lien of said mortgage to Portland Federal Savings and Loan Association, Edward H. Ballard possesses a mortgage.

Since I have survived my wife, Bessie H. Ballard, deceased, I direct that my property be sold by my executors, and I so empower them with the right to sell at public or private sale, as in their judgement they deem best, and after deducting expenses incident to the sale, from the proceeds remaining from the said sale, my son Edward H. Ballard, his heirs, or administrator or executor to be reimbursed for all monies advanced and paid by him or his heirs or personal representatives on the purchase price of this property, which was owned jointly by me and my wife, Bessie H. Ballard, before her death. Which is evidenced by a mortgage now held by Edward H. Ballard, my son for $5,000.00 without interest.

The remainder of my estate in such property, and including my household and personal effects to be divided equally among my children, namely William H. Ballard, Jr., Orville Lee Ballard, Edward H. Ballard, my sons, and Vivian E. Ballard Wilson, my daughter, beholden of their affection, loyalty and devotion, to me and their devoted and faithful mother.

#3. I hereby appoint my two sons, Orville L. Ballard and Edward H. Ballard, as my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament; and I request that no bond or surety as such be required of them.

#4. My Executors will proceed, when they deem it best to sell my said property, privately or at public auction, and such personal property as will be necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out the provisions of this my Last Will and Testament..

WITNESS my hand at Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky on this the 22nd day of August 1950.

William Henry Ballard, Sr

Signed and acknowledged by the said William H. Ballard, as and for his Last Will and Testament in our presence and by the subscribed as attesting witnesses in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other, on this the 22nd day of August 1950.

His obituary appeared in the Lexington Sunday Herald-Leader on 30 May 1954.18

“W. H. Ballard Dies At Home.”

Funeral services for W. H. Ballard, retired Lexington druggist, will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday at the St. Paul A.M.E. church by the Rev. Joseph R. Reid.

Mr Ballard, a retired druggist, died at 1 p.m. Friday at his home after a six-week illness. He had spent most of his life in Lexington.

Born in Franklin county, he was the son of Dowan and Matilda Ballard. He was graduated from high school in Louisville in 1879, and is said to have been the second Negro to have obtained a high school degree there.

He entered Roger Williams University, Nashville, and was graduated in 1883. After teaching in the public school systems of Kentucky and Tennessee for several years, he entered Northwestern University, and was graduated in pharmacy in 1892. He opened a drug store in Lexington the following year and continued its operation until he retired in 1947.

He served as president of the Citizens League of the Emancipation and of the Blue Grass Medical Society, and as secretary of the A. and M. Realty and Fair Association. He was active in playground and recreational work.

He had been a member of the St. Paul A.M.E. church for more than 50 years, serving as a trustee most of that time. He was past president of the Men’s Service League of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, and was a delegate to the general conference of the church in Little Rock, Ark. in 1944.

Mr Ballard was also secretary of the Greenwood cemetery, member of the Domestic Realty Company, past grand master of the Masons, Past grand master of the YBF Knights of Pythias, a member of the supreme council of Masons and an honorary 33rd degree Mason, a member of the Blue Grass Consistory of Lexington. He held the post of historian of the state of the Masons lodge from 1946 until his death.

William Henry Ballard and Bessie Hudson Brady are interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, which is now called Cove Haven Cemetery. The children of William Henry Ballard and Elizabeth (Bessie) Hudson Brady were:

Vivian Elizabeth, born 22 May 1904, Oakland, California,20 died 26 June 1976 in Harrodsburg, Mercer county, Kentucky.21 She married J. Nathan Wilson (1908-1971), a mortician, and resided in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. They are interred at Maple Grove Cemetery in Harrodsburg (note: their tombstone recites that she was born in 1905). Their daughter now living in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Gladys May, born January 1906, died 27 March 1906, from anemia.22

Endnotes

1. Among the records of the U.S. Freedmen Bank appears Account No. 5555, opened 3 September 1872 for “Willie Ballard”, born Frankfort, Ky., aged 9 years “Complexion: Lt. Brown”, the son of Dowan and Matilda Ballard, residing at 3rd 183rd, between Walnut & Green, noting that he had one brother (not named); Occupation: “School”. Deposit amount: $5.00. U.S. Freedmen Bank Records, 1864-1874, Online Records of FamilySearch.org.

2. Ky. Certificate of Death, File No. 21338.

3. Walden University (1865-1925) was a private historically Black university located in Nashville, Tennessee.

5. Originally named Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood was renamed Cove Haven Cemetery, and is located at 984 Whitney Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky 40508. The tombstones lie below an elaborate sword shaped memorial. William’s tombstone has an incorrect birth date of 31 October 1876, and Bessie’s is also incorrect, appearing as 25 June 1872.

7. H. W. Crew, author of History of Nashville, Tennessee (Nashville: Barbee & Smith, Agents, 1890) notes that Roger Williams University was established in 1864 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society originally with the name Nashville Normal and Collegiate Theological Institute. Its purpose was the education of young men to preach the gospel, and both young men and women to teach school. The school was chartered under the name Roger Williams University in 1883. Crew, pp. 432-33.

8. W. D. Johnson’s biography notes that “The firm name was Ballard & Nelson. Mr James E. Nelson, however, remained a member of the firm but two years. Since the dissolution of the firm Dr Ballard has successfully conducted the business alone.” Johnson, pp. 55-56.

9. Recorded Fayette Co. Ky. Deed Book 107, pp. 49-51. Noted in the margin: “By mutual consent the Note subscribed in the within deed for $175.00 is now made secondary and subordinate to a mortgage this day executed by Wm. H. Ballard & wife to Ky. University to secure a loan of $1,100.00 to payoff a loan of same and due by said Ballard to the Southern Mutual Investment Co. Secured by a mortgage on the within described property. This May 13, 1898. H. A. Tandy.” A second note reads “By mutual consent, the note for $175.00 described in the within Deed is now again made secondary and subordinate to a mortgage of this date for $1,100.00 executed by W. H. Ballard & wife on the within described property to Ky. University in lieu of a former mortgage for like account. Nov. 12, 1901. H. A. Tandy.” A third note in the margin is illegible to the author.

13. Recorded Fayette Co. Ky. Deed Book 202, pp. 521-22. Noted in margin: “All of the within notes have been paid, the lien securing same is hereby released Jan 22, 1925. Karoline E. Gund, Ex’tx of John Gund, deceased.”

16. Recorded Fayette Co. Ky. Will Book 23, pp. 466-67. Two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) in 2008 currency is equal to $43,120.00, according to the online calculator of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank.